May 4, 2025
Sciatica refers to symptoms that occur when the largest nerve in the human body, which extends from the lower back to the legs, is compressed or irritated.
In this article, we will explain the best sleeping position for those suffering from sciatica.
Symptoms and causes of sciatica
Symptoms of sciatica
Symptoms of sciatica often appear in the buttocks and thighs below the lower back. Additionally, there may be sharp, electric-like pain or numbness in the calves or toes, calf tightness, coldness or burning sensations, as well as leg heaviness.
If the condition aggravates, chronic pain or numbness may occur, and in severe cases, urinary or bowel dysfunction may develop. In some cases, the pain may be so severe that walking or standing up from a chair becomes impossible.
Causes of sciatica
Sciatica is caused by conditions such as lumbar disc herniation and lumbar spinal stenosis.
Lumbar disc herniation is most common in people in their 20s, followed by those in their 30s and 40s, and then younger people in their teens. When the intervertebral disc collapses and protrudes, it compresses the nerves in the lumbar spine, causing sciatica.
Lumbar spinal stenosis is more common in middle-aged and older adults over 50, but individuals with naturally narrow spinal canals may experience symptoms as early as their 30s or 40s. As the spinal canal narrows with age, it compresses the nerve roots and cauda equina, leading to sciatica.
Sleeping positions for sciatica]
For patients sleeping on their back
Sleeping on your back with your knees bent prevents your lower back from arching and keeps your lower back from floating off the mattress or futon, thereby reducing nerve compression and alleviating pain.
To this effect, place a cushion or a rolled-up towel under your slightly bent knees.
For patients sleeping on their side
When lying on your side, position the painful area upward and place a cushion between your knees to reduce nerve compression and alleviate pain.
Positions to avoid when sleeping
Sleeping on your stomach causes the lumbar spine to arch, which may aggravate pain.
Sleeping with the painful side facing down can worsen symptoms because the sciatic nerve is compressed between the muscles around the waist and the mattress or futon.
Additionally, it is best to avoid sleeping in the same position for extended periods of time. Sleeping without turning over can place continuous strain on specific areas, potentially worsening the symptoms.
It is also crucial to find a fundamental treatment
Our clinic performs the Cellgel Method for medical conditions such as lumbar disc herniation, which can be a cause of sciatica.
With disc herniation, the nucleus pulposus, the cushioning component of the intervertebral disc, gradually leaks out, causing the disc to compress over time. Once the disc compresses, it can become a cause of various disorders.
With our Cellgel Method, we inject a medication that fills the cracks in the disc, which then solidifies into a gel-like substance to repair the cracks, thereby providing fundamental treatment. The volume of the disc does not decrease, and after treatment, the medication remains in the disc as a gel-like implant, thereby preserving the disc.
If you are suffering from sciatica, we encourage you to consider a medical consultation at our clinic.
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